Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
Hyperactivity and impulsivity are the hallmarks of ADHD in childhood, and can cause problems with academics and behavior. It is a chronic condition, but children usually outgrow the symptoms.
In adulthood, the symptoms of inattention persist and can cause problems at school or at work. These symptoms can be caused or worsened by hormone fluctuations during menstrual cycles and pregnancy, as well as menopausal.
Inattentional symptoms
Adults may find the signs of inattention ADHD annoying. They can thwart relationships, work productivity and school performance. For instance, you could get distracted easily, frequently lose things, or have difficulty following directions. You might forget business meetings or appointments and leave unfinished work. You may feel overwhelmed by clutter in your office or home and have trouble remembering important details about events that occurred in your life. It might be difficult to listen to others, and you might have what is called the "thousand-yard stare," where you look at people but don't actually hear them.
Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD might also have issues with their memory, particularly during periods of hormonal changes such as pregnancy, menstrual cycles menopausal, perimenopausal and perimenopaus. This is particularly challenging for women who believe that their symptoms are worsened due to these periods.
When you have inattention ADHD, you can often improve your life by being able to recognize and manage your symptoms. Set realistic goals. Planners as well as reminder apps, and post-it notes to keep track of your appointments or deadlines. Break down large projects into smaller pieces and finish them one by one. Take breaks regularly to move around and refocus your focus.
You can also ask for accommodations from your school or employer that may help you manage your symptoms. For example you may be able to work at home, given extra time to finish assignments or tests, and provided with notetaking assistance in meetings. A lot of places have policies that require them to make these accommodations to people who have disabilities, including ADHD.
Women who suffer from ADHD might be frustrated or angry if they aren't diagnosed. They might blame their issues on themselves, or believe that medical professionals or family members have brushed aside them. Some also feel a sense of sadness and loss for the opportunities missed and the relationships damaged because they were not given treatment for their condition.
According to research, girls and women who suffer from inattention ADHD are not diagnosed as often to boys and men. This is due to the fact their symptoms are often difficult to identify. They can look like anxiety or mood disorders and can cause clinicians to mistakenly diagnose the condition. They can also develop better strategies to cope than males, which can conceal the true symptoms of ADHD.
Hyperactive Symptoms
Hyperactive ADHD symptoms in girls and women may manifest as restlessness or trouble being still. They may be fidgety, talking, or have trouble focusing in class or at work. Girls are also anxious and struggle to control their emotions. They struggle to meet the societal expectations of the woman's behavior, which can lead them to feel inadequate and chronic stress.
Although the symptom profile of females suffering from ADHD is different than men however, it is a chronic disorder. It's estimated that just 30% of adults overcome their ADHD and women are less likely to achieve this than men. If you've been diagnosed as having adult ADHD, you may find that your symptoms get worse as you age or go through hormonal changes.
For instance, you could notice that your ADHD symptoms are more severe in puberty, at or around the menstrual cycle, and in the perimenopausal years, which are the ones that lead to menopausal symptoms. You might notice that you're making more mistakes, having trouble managing deadlines and tasks or ignoring appointments.
If you suffer from the inattentive type of ADHD, your symptoms might also intensify during perimenopause and menopausal. This is because estrogen levels decrease after Ovulation, and during the middle of your menstrual cycle. This can increase ADHD symptoms. It's possible that these fluctuations are the reason many women do not receive an ADHD diagnosis in childhood and are instead left undiagnosed as adults.
During the initial diagnostic procedure, doctors will employ a mix of rating scales, interviews, and other methods to determine whether you suffer from ADHD. How you perceive and react to your symptoms is also important. For example, women and girls may conceal or cover up their ADHD symptoms to avoid being judged which could cause them to be mistakenly diagnosed with anxiety or a mood disorder. Boys and men however, are more likely to be referred for ADHD because their behavior is more disruptive. This is the reason why a lot of the original ADHD studies were conducted on hyperactive males and females.
signs adhd can make it difficult to control impulsive behaviors like picking up things off the floor or hitting your fist against the wall. It can also make it difficult to think before acting and can cause trouble at school or work where you are expected to follow instructions or complete tasks without interruptions.
As you reach adulthood, the issues with impulse control and planning and organisational skills may be more internalized and less apparent as they were as young. Hyperactivity may become an inner restlessness. The periods of organization may occur in conjunction with periods of procrastination, and feeling overwhelmed.
Research has shown that women tend to conceal their ADHD symptoms more than men or boys. It is partly because men and boys are more likely to be socially accepted for their ADHD-related behavior especially impulsive or hyperactive ones. This can be because of gender stereotypes, such as the idea boys are more impulsive than girls and less organized. This could cause girls to conceal her ADHD symptoms to fit in with.
The hormonal fluctuations that occur during menstrual cycles or pregnancy can also cause ADHD symptoms in females. This is because estrogen levels drop during ovulation and then increase during the beginning of menstruation. This causes symptoms to flare. It is important that girls and women with ADHD are evaluated by a mental health professional or a health care professional when they are experiencing these symptoms.
You can learn to manage the symptoms of ADHD. A combination of therapy, medication and lifestyle changes can make a difference. Regular exercise is a great way to boost your mood and release neurotransmitters that improve concentration and attention levels as well as energy levels. Try participating in aerobic or cardio exercises at home or your local gym.
It is also essential to get enough rest. A restful night can help reduce fatigue, which is often an indication of ADHD. In addition, it is vital to eat well and try to avoid foods that cause ADHD symptoms in you.
Internalizing Symptoms
Women with ADHD may have issues in a variety of areas of their lives. They are more likely to have the inattentive symptoms and can develop coping mechanisms such as internalization. This can result in low self-esteem and a negative image of the body. It is important to diagnose and treat these issues as adults. Being diagnosed is a moment of clarity for many. It provides them with an explanation for their struggles and helps them accept themselves more fully (Waite 2010).
The severity of symptoms can differ based on hormone levels. They may improve during ovulation and pregnancy and can become more severe as they approach menopause. Women may experience difficulties to maintain relationships and perform everyday tasks during this period. More can result in feelings of unsatisfaction.
Relationships can be impacted by impulsive or forgetful behaviors. Forgetting birthdays, unfinished projects or not paying bills on time could leave people feeling like you don't care, leading to conflict between people. People with ADHD are typically extremely sensitive to rejection and have a difficult time managing their emotions. This can lead to extreme reactions to rejection or failure.
Due to an impulsive nature, a desire to belong and to be loved, girls and women with ADHD are likely to develop sexually active earlier than their peers. They are more likely to become victimized by abuse from intimate partners and STIs because they don't insist that their partners utilize protection. They are also more likely to have co-occurring depression or anxiety and may have a tough to maintain friendships.
While more research is needed to determine the impact ADHD has on different genders it is clear that females are more likely to not be diagnosed, and to have a different experience with the disorder. It is, however, possible to get a diagnosis and benefit from treatment, which can improve relationships and position you to be successful at school or at work. Alongside medication, your doctor might suggest therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy that will help you manage your thoughts and emotions as well as swapping negative thinking patterns for healthier ones.